Great Start Spoiled Against Singapore

Nepal ended the first day of the three-day match against Singapore at 206/8 squandering a brilliant start at the Singapore Indian Association Ground today in the inaugural match of the ACC Fast Track Countries Tournament.

Wicket-keeper Manoj Vaishya (17) and Raj Kumar Pradhan (5) are at crease. Nepal and Singapore both had earned 4 bonus points from the rain-delayed match and Nepal could bat 6.3 overs more on Saturday before the mandatory declaration in 90 overs.

Opener Paresh Lohani scored 71, second best by any Nepali in three day match behind his own 76, to justify his captain’s decision to bat first. His innings of 140 balls included three boundaries. He partnered Kaniska Chaugai for 53 for first wicket and Mehesh Chhetri for 55 for second wicket.

However the middle-order batsmen failed to utilize the fine start as Nepal lost quick wickets twice in the innings. The first one started with Paresh who gave a catch to Riaz off Rizwan in 118. From then Nepal slumped to 119/4 losing three wickets in one run.

Kaniska managed 18 before being adjudged leg before of pacer Shoaib while Mahesh Chhetri, replacing Dipendra Chaudhary, was bowled by Buddhika Mendis, the Singaporean player of Sri Lankan origin.

Buddhika, who denied Nepal victory last year with a century, spearheaded bowling with four wickets. Dropped down the order, Mehboob Alam got 46 off 74 balls with six boundaries and the lone six of the innings before failing to AN Balaji, the highest wicket-taker in last meeting. Shakti Gauchan, Paras Khadka, Binod Das and Raju Basnyat couldn’t reach the double figure.

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